…says ambition not driven by desperation for presidency
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he is willing to support anyone capable of fixing Nigeria, insisting that his political ambition is not driven by a desperate desire to become president.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi said his ultimate goal was to see Nigeria function effectively, regardless of who emerges as president in 2027.
When asked whether his mission to “fix Nigeria” would end if he failed to win the presidency, the former Labour Party presidential candidate said he had never been desperate to occupy the nation’s highest office.
“I’ve always said that I am not desperate to become President of Nigeria. I am desperate to see Nigeria work. If it is working, I will support whatever makes it work,” Obi said.
He added that he would back any leader capable of moving the country forward, noting that Nigeria’s progress was more important than his personal ambition.
“So if Nigeria is working, I’ll support whatever makes it work. I want to see a country where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody, where we can put people out of poverty, where young people will have the opportunity to live, get jobs, be diplomats and participate in what young people do all over the world,” he said.
Obi maintained that it would not matter whether or not he became president as long as the country was on the path of development.
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“It doesn’t matter if Peter Obi is the president or not. So far, Nigeria is good; I’m fine with it,” he added.
When asked whether he would consider serving in another capacity, such as a minister, Obi said he did not need to hold public office to contribute to national development.
“I don’t even need to hold any office,” he said.
However, he reiterated his decision to contest the presidency, saying he believed he had the capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges and unite the country.
“I’m contesting because I believe that I will fix it. I will unite the country and be able to show an example of what is possible,” Obi said.